Ukraine Using E-Bikes in War Against Russia

Ukrainian fighters are using electric bikes in the war against Russia to carry out sniper attacks, de-mine and surveil, deliver medical supplies, and target Russian armored vehicles, reports The Washington Post.

The bikes, which have a top speed of 55 miles per hour and are relatively silent, have mostly been provided to the military by Ukrainian e-bike firm Eleek.

The company made them in military green and placed a small Ukrainian flag on the rear wheel.

"When the war started, we were shocked at first … everyone was worried and thought about what to do," Eleek manager Roman Kulchytskyi told The Washington Post. "But we all rallied."

Eleek has had to come up with creative options for power banks after struggling for parts — they started with lithium-ion battery cells and turned to electric cigarettes after those ran out. They launched a social media campaign to get people to send devices in, working from a bomb shelter to get everything done.

Mirrors and rotating lights were removed as they were considered unnecessary for trail riding and the company added footrests for passengers, improved charging time, and installed a battery control system and a 220V output for soldiers to charge their gadgets, according to the Post.

The bikes are relatively light — 140 pounds — but can carry heavy loads and are fitted with relatively flat tires useful in forested areas.

The Post said the bikes may not be visible on thermal imaging systems, useful for militaries to pinpoint targets.

Delfast, another e-bike company, has also been donating electric bikes to the Ukrainian army since the war broke out.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine just over three months ago.

So far, the Ukrainian military has held strong against Moscow despite being outmanned and outgunned by its neighbor and rival.

Many citizens have taken up arms and are fighting on the front line. Ukraine has also benefited from substantial Western military aide since the onset of the conflict.